Johnny’s elation began to wane as the girl went on through the handful of letters without pausing, and then, as he was about to give up hope, Nannie flapped a letter to the counter. “That’s him!” she exclaimed. “Crosbie Traynor! Must be, because here’s another for him. Where was he from—Flagstaff?” “That’s right,” Johnny assured her. “From down Arizona way. Crosbie Traynor! Well, ma’am, it’s sure my treat. Next time you go by the Eagle Drug, you stop in. There’ll be a box of candy there for you.” “You shouldn’t do that, Mr. Allerdyce,” Nannie protested very prettily. “You know that I usually do remember names; but we’ve been so busy.” Johnny was in no mood to complain of this willing worker. “My laws, of course!” he hastened to say. “Fools shouldn’t be coming around botherin’ you.” And Johnny, further to show his gratitude, purchased a dollar’s worth of stamps, for which he had absolutely no use. And, of course, Nannie’s percentage didn’t hold good on the deal, either. Johnny’s pace, when he had turned back on to Bridge Street, slowed materially. He was too full for words. To go back to the hotel would be to share his success with Tony, and he was not yet ready to do that. As was habitual with him, he wanted to be alone to digest this latest discovery. He found the proper place for it in the deserted waiting-room at the Espee station. His continual repetition of the dead man’s name might have been a funeral chant, so often did he sound it. “Crosbie Traynor.” A pause, then: “Crosbie Traynor. I’ve got the tracks cleared now! I’ll see the Injuns first; but if I’m stopped there, I’m goin’ on, even if it’s clear to Flagstaff!” CHAPTER XII MOLLY EXPLAINS Two o’clock found Johnny mounting the stairs to the Eldorado’s parlor. Molly awaited him, but the boy found her cast down. Her appearance prompted him to plain speaking. “Listen, girl,” he said. “There’s somethin’ wrong. Now, tell me what it is. I felt it this mornin’. It ain’t your way to steal off, and that’s what you did this trip. You’re worried, and I know it.” “I am, Johnny,” Molly answered readily. “I’d have told you without your asking. I did come here hurriedly and without a word to any one. Maybe I’ve been foolish, but it sounded so genuine that I had to do as I have. I won’t talk in riddles any longer. Hughie brought me this letter night before last. It rather upset me, and then, too, I was curious. I want you to read it.” Johnny’s face whitened as he obeyed her, for without question it was a communication from Crosbie Traynor. The letter ran: “Miss Molly Kent, Diamond-Bar Ranch: “Please do not be alarmed by this letter. One who wishes you well writes it. Although I am a stranger, I have traveled many hundred miles to see you.